Written Answers Thursday 4 December 2008

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16416 by Richard Lochhead on 1 October 2008, whether it has had discussions with NFU Scotland, or other relevant organisations, concerning the review of EU Directive 91/414/EEC and the implications that it has for Scotland’s agriculture and horticulture industries.

Richard Lochhead: Under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish ministers have an agency agreement with the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), who act on our behalf on certain pesticide matters. PSD have a formal structure of working groups in which they consult and involve relevant organisations on matters of current interest, and we receive formal views through that avenue. In addition, the Scottish Government has had direct informal contacts with NFU Scotland about the on-going review of Directive 91/414/EEC and the potential implications for Scotland.

Agriculture

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16417 by Richard Lochhead on 1 October 2008, what action it will take in response to recent amendments to EU Directive 91/414/EEC to aid farmers and growers who are concerned about greater costs, more red tape, and a reduction in plant protection products.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in response to the recent amendments to EU Directive 91/414/EEC to aid the horticulture industry, which has expressed fears that it will be unable to use products to control downy and powdery mildew, leaf spot and apple scab.

Richard Lochhead: No amendments to Directive 91/414/EEC have yet been formally adopted. Negotiations are continuing at a European level, and we are taking active steps to influence the negotiations, for example by working with Scottish MEPs and by promoting Scotland’s interests in discussions to agree the UK’s negotiating position. One aspect which we are highlighting is the potential reduction in the availability of plant protection products.

Air Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd regarding the installation of an instrument landing system at Wick Airport.

Stewart Stevenson: We have held no such discussions with Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL). As satellite based technologies develop, HIAL will evaluate the costs and benefits of these in relation to the provision of navigational aids at its airports.

Air Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of instrument landing systems in the Highlands and Islands airport network area in terms of the (a) reduction in postponed and delayed outward flights, (b) fall in diverted inward flights and (c) effects on regional economic development.

Stewart Stevenson: We understand that a study undertaken by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd has shown that less than 2% of scheduled flights through Wick are cancelled or diverted and that an Instrument Landing System (ILS) would benefit only 50% of those flights.

Air Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources are planned for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11 in order for Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd to provide instrument landing systems where they are required across its network area.

Stewart Stevenson: Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) has not sought resources from the Scottish Government for the provision of new Instrument Landing System equipment at its airports for the period 2008-11. Such investment does not form part of HIAL’s capital plan for this period.

Alcohol Misuse

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been (a) arrested for and (b) charged with consuming alcohol in a public place in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) police force and (ii) local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: No information is held centrally on the number of people arrested, however the following two tables contain information on the number of offences of consuming alcohol in a public place recorded by the police in Scotland for each of the last five years, by (i) police force and (ii) local authority area.

  

 (i) Police Force Area
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 Central
 309
 342
 477
 534
 551


 Dumfries and Galloway
 29
 56
 22
 113
 152


 Fife
 347
 810
 920
 702
 770


 Grampian
 143
 255
 305
 458
 365


 Lothian and Borders
 110
 195
 201
 220
 203


 Northern
 128
 208
 83
 210
 226


 Strathclyde
 19,974
 20,041
 22,799
 24,023
 23,438


 Tayside
 316
 347
 528
 618
 479


 All Scotland
 21,356
 22,254
 25,335
 26,878
 26,184



  

 (ii) Local Authority Area
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 Aberdeen City
 103
 211
 247
 314
 284


 Aberdeenshire
 1
 0
 0
 1
 41


 Angus
 17
 36
 61
 65
 49


 Argyll and Bute
 230
 115
 160
 319
 202


 Clackmannanshire
 29
 44
 54
 53
 90


 Dumfries and Galloway
 29
 56
 22
 113
 152


 Dundee City
 257
 194
 285
 341
 221


 East Ayrshire
 489
 389
 450
 922
 828


 East Dunbartonshire
 335
 530
 513
 476
 809


 East Lothian
 2
 6
 14
 72
 66


 East Renfrewshire
 407
 435
 481
 445
 269


 Edinburgh, City of
 1
 0
 0
 1
 8


 Eilean Siar
 0
 6
 2
 1
 7


 Falkirk
 214
 196
 312
 389
 325


 Fife
 347
 810
 920
 702
 770


 Glasgow City
 8,825
 7,245
 8,440
 9,326
 9,308


 Highland
 128
 202
 81
 208
 166


 Inverclyde
 179
 194
 300
 350
 1,126


 Midlothian
 7
 21
 79
 57
 58


 Moray
 39
 44
 58
 143
 40


 North Ayrshire
 420
 584
 616
 807
 954


 North Lanarkshire
 6,178
 6,009
 5,501
 5,028
 4,273


 Orkney Islands
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 42
 117
 182
 212
 209


 Renfrewshire
 248
 270
 311
 411
 841


 Scottish Borders
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0


 Shetland Islands
 0
 0
 0
 1
 53


 South Ayrshire
 495
 471
 815
 1,343
 1,450


 South Lanarkshire
 1,939
 3,627
 4,880
 3,955
 2,670


 Stirling
 66
 102
 111
 92
 136


 West Dunbartonshire
 229
 172
 332
 641
 708


 West Lothian
 100
 166
 108
 90
 71


 All Scotland
 21,356
 22,254
 25,335
 26,878
 26,184



  No information is held centrally on the number of people charged, however, the following two tables contain information on the number of persons proceeded against in Scottish courts for the five most recent years available.

  Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Consuming Alcohol in Designated Places1, by Police Force Area, 2002-03 to 2006-07.

  

 (i) Police Force Area
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07


 Northern 
 73
 22
 30
 32
 40


 Grampian 
 2
 9
 5
 16
 41


 Tayside 
 37
 68
 24
 19
 15


 Fife 
 9
 14
 18
 13
 21


 Lothian and Borders 
 13
 21
 24
 24
 31


 Central 
 66
 40
 42
 62
 96


 Strathclyde 
 1,160
 1,295
 1,422
 2,644
 2,898


 Dumfries and Galloway
 5
 2
 7
 8
 61


 Scotland2
 1,365
 1,471
 1,572
 2,818
 3,203



  Notes:

  1. Where main offence.

  2. Includes a small number where court is unknown.

  Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Consuming Alcohol in Designated Places1, by Approximate Local Authority Area2, 2002-03 to 2006-07

  

 (ii) Local Authority Area
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07


 Aberdeen City 
 -
 7
 4
 14
 39


 Aberdeenshire 
 -
 1
 -
 -
 -


 Angus 
 -
 4
 3
 1
 -


 Argyll and Bute 
 8
 11
 18
 7
 14


 Clackmannanshire 
 13
 5
 6
 10
 10


 Dumfries and Galloway
 5
 2
 7
 8
 61


 Dundee City 
 34
 56
 20
 15
 5


 East Ayrshire 
 25
 73
 69
 52
 188


 East Dunbartonshire
 19
 19
 20
 23
 -


 East Lothian 
 -
 -
 -
 -
 3


 East Renfrewshire 
 19
 27
 26
 17
 40


 Edinburgh, City of 
 -
 -
 -
 -
 1


 Eilean Siar 
 -
 -
 1
 -
 1


 Falkirk 
 33
 31
 21
 36
 56


 Fife 
 9
 14
 18
 13
 21


 Glasgow City 
 359
 288
 307
 442
 494


 Highland 
 73
 22
 29
 32
 39


 Inverclyde 
 60
 41
 17
 52
 23


 Midlothian 
 2
 3
 2
 5
 17


 Moray 
 2
 1
 1
 2
 2


 North Ayrshire 
 27
 54
 50
 92
 129


 North Lanarkshire 
 303
 441
 553
 1,038
 941


 Orkney Islands
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Perth and Kinross 
 3
 8
 1
 3
 10


 Renfrewshire 
 12
 11
 14
 30
 20


 Scottish Borders
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 Shetland Islands
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -


 South Ayrshire 
 43
 73
 38
 86
 225


 South Lanarkshire 
 272
 231
 281
 802
 781


 Stirling 
 20
 4
 15
 16
 30


 West Dunbartonshire
 13
 25
 29
 3
 43


 West Lothian 
 11
 18
 22
 19
 10


 Scotland3
 1,365
 1,471
 1,572
 2,818
 3,203



  Notes:

  1. Where main offence.

  2. Incorporates an approximate mapping of sheriff courts into local authority areas. Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area. There are four local authority areas which do not contain a sheriff court, namely East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and North Ayrshire.

  3. Includes a small number where court is unknown.

  It should be noted that the statistics dealing with recorded crime and court proceedings are not directly comparable as a person may be proceeded against for more than one crime involving more than one victim and there is the possibility that the crime recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings. Also a crime may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings concluded in a subsequent year.

Ambulance Service

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many accident and emergency vehicles have been in use by NHS Lothian in each of the last five years, broken down by type of vehicle.

Shona Robison: Scottish Ambulance Service vehicle numbers are recorded by operating division. The total numbers of all categories of accident and emergency vehicles for the South East operating division, which comprises NHS Lothian and NHS Borders is set out in the following table.

  

 
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Accident and Emergency Units
 63
 60
 60
 56
 56


 Rapid Response Vehicles
 4
 4
 5
 5
 5


 2nd Responder
 0
 1
 1
 1
 1


 Mid / Urgent Tier 
 0
 0
 0
 6
 6


 Motorbike
 1
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Neo-Natal/Special Accident and Emergency Units
 1
 2
 2
 2
 2


 Total
 69
 67
 68
 70
 72



  Notes:

  *Information provided by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

  **Information for 2008-09 is as at 27 November 2008.

Aquaculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is encouraging the uptake of SVQs in aquaculture.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Qualifications Authority Accreditation Unit is responsible for promoting SVQs generally to encourage their uptake. A number of colleges in Scotland offer SVQs in aquaculture, including by distance learning, thus increasing access to accredited vocational training.

  Lantra, the Sector Skills Council which covers the aquaculture sector, receives additional funding of approximately £400,000 per annum from the Scottish Government to take forward work in Scotland, including on aquaculture. Lantra has already developed an aquaculture industry action plan which addresses the issue of recruitment and workforce-ready recruits. Lantra also works with schools to promote aquaculture as an industry and to encourage young people to enter the industry.

Aquaculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase and improve vocational training in the aquaculture industry.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government’s consultation document A Fresh Start, a Renewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture highlighted the importance to the aquaculture industry of attracting, retaining and developing people for a long term career in aquaculture and ensuring appropriately trained and skilled industry employees. The new framework will be delivered in conjunction with industry, which has the primary responsibility for training their staff.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/06103512/0.

  Vocational training for the aquaculture industry is provided directly by employers and also by a number of colleges in Scotland delivering SVQ levels II and III in aquaculture, including online and by distance learning, a Scottish Progression Award and the modern apprenticeship scheme.

  The Scottish Government has supported the development of best practice in aquaculture training through funding for Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for this sector, which has recognised employer-based training excellence through its annual National Training Award, as does the annual Crown Estate Commission Scottish Marine Aquaculture Award for Training and Education.

Aquaculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what practical steps it will take to promote investment in, and the creation of, high-value and highly-skilled jobs in aquaculture.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is supporting the sustainable economic growth of the Scottish aquaculture industry through developing a renewed strategic framework for Scottish aquaculture. That framework has identified the issues to be tackled and proposes a flexible approach to delivery.

  In addition, as part of our economic recovery plan, we have recently challenged the industry to bring forward applications for European Fisheries Funding (EFF) grants by the end of 2008 that can incur expenditure and claim reimbursement by 31 March 2009. Grants available through EFF support investment in Scottish aquaculture (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Fisheries/grants-subsidies).

Audiology

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time for audiology services is in (a) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) NHS Lanarkshire.

Shona Robison: Information on audiology average waiting times is not available centrally. Audiology waiting times will be included within the 18 week referral to treatment standards by 2011 and systems are being developed to report progress towards that target. Information Services Division of National Services Scotland will publish audiology waiting times from 1 April 2009.

Cancer

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the performance figures for the cancer waiting time target in each quarter since the target was set, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: In December 2000, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change announced that by 2005, the maximum wait from urgent referral to treatment for all cancers will be two months. Quarterly performance information showing progress against the 62-day urgent referral to treatment target, broken down by NHS board and cancer type is published from October 2004 on the Scottish Government website www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/cancer/waiting-times .

  The number of patients reported within data submissions has increased (coverage) over time and guidance has been revised to reflect issues with definitions and guidance highlighted by NHS boards. This makes direct comparisons in quarterly performance difficult.

  Prior to 2003 cancer waiting times statistics included only breast cancer; in April 2003 colorectal cancers were added; July 2003 ovarian cancer; July 2004 lung cancers; January 2005 melanoma; April 2005 lymphoma cancer, and in July 2005 head and neck, upper GI, and urology cancers. From January 2007 submissions were received for all nine cancer services for all NHS boards.

Crofters Commission

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what value it places on the work and role of Crofters Commission area assessors.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current system for selection and operation of Crofters Commission area assessors is operating effectively and supported by crofters.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to concerns that the role of the Crofters Commission area assessors will be diminished in any crofting legislation reform and what action it will take to prevent any such diminution.

Michael Russell: The Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 empowers the Crofters Commission to appoint suitable persons resident in the crofting counties as assessors to assist in the local exercise of its functions. The appointment process and functions of the assessors were agreed between the commission and the Scottish Crofting Foundation and the commission considers the process to be operating effectively.

  The Scottish Government has welcomed recent steps to reinvigorate the assessors network but believes that further reform is required to make the governance arrangements for crofting more transparent, democratic and accountable. We expect to consult on draft legislation during 2009.

Crofters Commission

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much support has been given to the crofting sector under the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme (CCAGS) in each year since 1999 and what level of support it plans to make available under CCAGS in each year until 2011, broken down by crofting county.

Michael Russell: The Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme (CCAGS) is demand-led and it is not possible to break down future support by crofting county. The Budget (Scotland) Bill Supporting Document for the Year Ending 31 March 2009 (Bib. number 44458) made £3 million available for CCAGS in 2008-09. The Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007 (Bib. number 44076) proposed that £3 million would also be made available for CCAGS in each of the financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11.

  The information requested on the actual amounts disbursed through CCAGS in previous years is not held centrally. The Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme is administered on behalf of Scottish ministers by the Crofters Commission and I have asked the Chief Executive of the Crofters Commission to respond to you directly with the information you have requested.

Crofters Commission

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are to reform the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government, in accordance with its response to the final report of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting, plans to retain the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme within the Scotland Rural Development Programme, to take forward proposals to re-orient support towards registered crofters and seek EU approval during the 2009 modification process (a) to extend the scheme to the whole of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Area and (b) to amend the scheme to provide a 10% uplift in support to new entrants to crofting.

Crofters Commission

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with crofting stakeholders on its plans to reform the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme (CCAGS) and, in particular, its proposal to give support under CCAGS in future only to registered crofters.

Michael Russell: The Committee of Inquiry on Crofting consulted extensively with crofting stakeholders prior to making its recommendations in respect of the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme and other support measures.

  The Minister for Environment spoke to many crofters and attended a number of meetings prior to preparing the government’s response to the final report of the committee of Inquiry.

Crofters Commission

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals in the agricultural sector who are not registered crofters have received support under the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme in each year since 1999, broken down by crofting county.

Michael Russell: The information requested is not held centrally. The Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme is administered on behalf of Scottish ministers by the Crofters Commission and I have asked the Chief Executive of the Crofters Commission to respond to you directly with the information you have requested.

Crofters Commission

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns among individuals in the agricultural sector who have crofting interests but are not registered crofters and have received or receive support under the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme (CCAGS) that they will be disadvantaged in future if the CCAGS is available only to registered crofters.

Michael Russell: In the light of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting’s recommendations, the Scottish Government announced on 1 October 2008 that it would take forward proposals to re-orient support under CCAGS towards registered crofters whilst extending the scheme to the whole of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Area and providing a 10% uplift in support to new entrants to crofting. The aim of the policy is to maintain and increase the amount of land held in crofting tenure, and to assist young people and new entrants into crofting.

  Any non-crofter who wishes to continue to benefit from specific crofting support measures may wish to investigate the various avenues available for the conversion of their land to crofting tenure, thereby bringing that land within the scope of crofting regulation.

  Other wide-ranging support measures under the Scotland Rural Development Programme are available to those who are not registered crofters.

Dentistry

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are eligible for priority access to NHS dental services and how many are receiving these services.

Shona Robison: Whilst there are no national arrangements for priority access to NHS dental services for children, NHS Grampian has stated that they will prioritise NHS dental treatment for children under the age of 12, ensuring they are offered care within 18 weeks of contacting the board.

Education

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to promote equality in education for pupils with additional support needs, specifically in ensuring that they are taught by appropriately trained staff.

Maureen Watt: The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 places duties on education authorities to ensure that the additional support needs of all children and young people are addressed and that they have access to the same range of learning opportunities as other pupils. Education authorities are required to identify, meet and keep under review the additional support needs of all pupils and to tailor provision to meet their individual needs.

  It is for education authorities to ensure that they have in place a range of suitably qualified staff with the appropriate knowledge, skills and understanding to undertake the teaching required of them and fully support the needs of all pupils with additional support needs.

  Through the continuing professional development (CPD) framework, the Scottish Government fully expects all teachers to be able to recognise and know how to support pupils with additional support needs. Teachers should know where to go for specialist advice and support with regard to the educational provision for pupils to ensure that the appropriate assessments, interventions and strategies can be put in place. A national CPD team is also in place to support a network of local authority CPD co-ordinators to help share best practice. The team has particular expertise in additional support needs.

  In addition, we are supporting the Scottish Teacher Education Committee (STEC) Action Plan – Framework for Inclusion, a two year action plan to take forward inclusive education in initial teacher education and continuous professional development.

  We will also soon publish The Autism Toolbox, an autism resource for Scottish local authorities and schools. This will draw on a range of practice experience, literature and research to support education authorities and school staff develop innovative and individualised approaches to teaching pupils with autism.

Education

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that pupils with additional support needs and their families have (a) full and easy access to learning materials in different formats, (b) knowledge of the transcription services available and (c) an understanding of the alternative or accessible formats that are available when taking exams.

Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government has taken a number of steps to ensure that accessible curriculum material is available for those with additional support needs.

  The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is responsible for determining the entitlement of all individuals to national qualifications. SQA provides a range of advice to enable centres, pupils and their families to gain an understanding of the alternative or accessible formats that can be made available to those taking National Qualifications examinations. These alternative formats include the provision of question papers in Braille, large print and digital media. Centres, pupils and their families can obtain information about alternative formats available through SQA's website or by telephoning their customer contact centre.

  The Scottish Government funds the CALL Centre (Communication Aids for Language and Learning), University of Edinburgh, which provides specialist advice, expertise and training in technology for those working with children who have speech, communication and/or writing difficulties in schools across Scotland. CALL were funded to organise a national symposium in Edinburgh in March 2008 where key stakeholders considered how digital versions of curriculum resources can be created and accessed by pupils with additional support needs.

  CALL are currently working with Learning and Teaching Scotland to produce an on line database of adapted curriculum materials. This is an output of work with the Copyright Licensing Agency to extend the schools copyright licence so that it covers not only pupils with visual impairments but those who are registered disabled. CALL has also been funded to produce a resource that enables pupils to listen to digital curriculum materials spoken out in a Scottish voice. The voice can be downloaded free of charge from the CALL website. It has also been recently agreed to fund CALL to develop an accessibility guide for textual resources and they have also been working to create and develop examination papers in accessible digital formats with SQA.

  In partnership with Learning and Teaching Scotland, we have made available to all schools a web-based catalogue of adapted curriculum materials.

Electricity

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct a feasibility study into a sub-sea cable along the west coast of Scotland for the transmission of electricity as an alternative to an overhead pylon line.

Jim Mather: There are currently no plans at present to conduct such a study however these are always vital issues to the Scottish Government and are kept under review.

  However, offshore grid development is of critical importance to the Scottish Government in order to realise the full potential of our renewable resources.

  We are progressing two key studies into offshore grid connections – the Irish-Scottish links on Energy Study (ISLES) and the recently published North Sea Energy Grid (NSEG) pre-scoping study.

Energy Efficiency

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering how people with acute or pre-existing health conditions that could be affected by cold or damp housing but are not included in the criteria for receiving help at stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package can be provided with the energy efficiency measures provided at this stage.

Stewart Maxwell: In its report, the Fuel Poverty Forum noted that there was a concern that some people with acute or pre-existing health conditions that may be affected by cold or damp housing would not be included in the eligible groups benefiting from Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package, but that further work was needed to define who these are. In the light of this, the Scottish Government does not intend to include a separate category for this group in the Energy Assistance Package initially, but we will ask the forum to monitor and review the package and its impact. However, we have extended support through the new package to include help for low income families with a child aged under 5 or a disabled child under 16. This will mean that from April 2009, for the first time, these households can receive help beyond basic insulation measures through stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package.

Enterprise

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will assess whether the change in structure of the local enterprise network affects the Glasgow economy.

Jim Mather: The reforms to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are allowing them to focus on making an improved contribution to sustainable economic development both regionally and nationally. Scottish Enterprise is working closely with significant and high growth potential companies in Glasgow while the Business Gateway continues to provide support to those businesses serving predominantly local markets. Delivery of this latter role is now the responsibility of Glasgow City Council, as is the lead on local regeneration. Any associated impact of these changes on the Glasgow economy, should be positive.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate has been made of the cost of reducing all Caledonian MacBrayne fares by 40% for (a) passenger, (b) vehicle and (c) cargo services.

Stewart Stevenson: No detailed assessment has been made of a 40% reduction of CalMac Ferries Ltd’s fares for (a) passengers, (b) vehicles or (c) cargo services. The Scottish Government is currently investigating Road Equivalent Tariff as the basis of future ferry fares in Scotland. However, the Scottish Ferries Review, currently underway, will include consideration of other charging structures for ferry fares.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what fare concessions have been deleted for (a) commercial and (b) non-commercial ferry passengers in the road equivalent tariff pilot areas and what savings will be achieved in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Stewart Stevenson: All existing discount arrangements, except for the national concessionary schemes for young persons, older and disabled islanders and the 10% discount on the overnight freight service between Ullapool and Stornoway, will cease on the Road Equivalent Tariff pilot routes.

  The removal of those discounts will not result in any savings as the overall journey cost with RET will be lower than, or at least the same as, the discounted fares previously available.

Food

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16419 by Richard Lochhead on 1 October 2008, what further consideration it has given to the recent amendments to EU Directive 91/414/EEC and their potential effects on food supply and food security issues in Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: The negotiations on the new Regulation to replace Directive 91/414/EEC have not yet been completed, and therefore no amendments have yet been formally adopted. In the course of the negotiations, a large number of possible amendments are being discussed. We are monitoring these on an on-going basis, in relation to the potential implications for Scotland.

Forestry

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it can provide that forests will not be jeopardised as recreational resources as a result of the long-term leasing of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the national forest estate to large timberland investment companies.

Michael Russell: Offering management leases and cutting rights is a potential option for releasing capital from the national forest estate which could be used to fund woodland creation projects to help mitigate climate change. This option is included in a public consultation currently being carried out on climate change and the National Forest Estate http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7KUMVM .

  The consultation period closes on 27 January 2009. All responses will be carefully considered and will be taken into account as part of a wider options review being carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland.

  If any leases are offered as a result of the review, they will include terms which safeguard the interests of existing stakeholders such as recreational users. Lessees will, of course, also be subjected to legal requirements such as the right of responsible access.

Forestry

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to support biomass initiatives while allowing the long-term leasing of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the national forest estate to large timberland investment companies.

Michael Russell: Offering management leases and cutting rights is a potential option for releasing capital from the national forest estate which could be used to fund woodland creation projects to help mitigate climate change. This option is included in a public consultation currently being carried out on climate change and the National Forest Estate http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7KUMVM .

  The consultation period closes on 27 January 2009. All responses will be carefully considered and will be taken into account as part of a wider options review being carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland.

  We remain fully committed to supporting biomass initiatives and this commitment will be an important element in the review.

Forestry

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure the sustainable management of forests if full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the national forest estate are leased to large timberland investment companies.

Michael Russell: Offering management leases and cutting rights is a potential option for releasing capital from the national forest estate which could be used to fund woodland creation projects to help mitigate climate change. This option is included in a public consultation currently being carried out on climate change and the National Forest Estate http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7KUMVM .

  The consultation period closes on 27 January 2009. All responses will be carefully considered and will be taken into account as part of a wider options review being carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland.

  If any leases are offered as a result of the review, the woodlands will remain subject to the UK Forestry Standard and the supporting guidelines which are based on the principles of sustainable forest management.

Forestry

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Forestry Commission Scotland jobs it considers would be put at risk through the long-term leasing out of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the national forest estate to large timberland investment companies.

Michael Russell: Offering management leases and cutting rights is a potential option for releasing capital from the national forest estate which could be used to fund woodland creation projects to help mitigate climate change. This option is included in a public consultation currently being carried out on climate change and the National Forest Estate http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7KUMVM .

  The consultation period closes on 27 January 2009. All responses will be carefully considered and will be taken into account as part of a wider options review being carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland.

  It is therefore too soon to say what (if any) impact there will be on Forestry Commission staff. If the leasing/cutting rights option does go ahead, there will be no compulsory redundancies and any jobs that move would be subject to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.

Forestry

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it considers there would be on the retention of jobs and skills in Forestry Commission Scotland as a result of the long-term leasing out of full management and cutting rights over at least 25% of the national forest estate to large timberland investment companies.

Michael Russell: Offering management leases and cutting rights is a potential option for releasing capital from the national forest estate which could be used to fund woodland creation projects to help mitigate climate change. This option is included in a public consultation currently being carried out on Climate Change and the National Forest Estate http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7KUMVM .

  The consultation period closes on 27 January 2009. All responses will be carefully considered and will be taken into account as part of a wider options review being carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland.

  It is therefore too soon to say what, if any, impact there will be on Forestry Commission staff. If the leasing/cutting rights option does go ahead, there will be no compulsory redundancies and any jobs that move would be subject to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations. The commission has a work force with a wide and varied range of skills and we do not intend to weaken that skill base.

Fuel Poverty

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on which fuel poverty schemes will be funded under the UK Government’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme and which will be funded by the Scottish Government.

Stewart Maxwell: As the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing set out in her statement on 19 November 2008, the Scottish Government has decided to implement the Energy Assistance Package as recommended by the Fuel Poverty Forum from April 2009. This integrated new package will have four stages, and be part funded through CERT and part funded through the Scottish Government.

  At stage 1 all callers to a freephone number will be given advice on energy savings and a free energy audit. At stage 2 all low-income households that are at risk of fuel poverty will be offered an energy tariff check and a benefits and tax credits check. Stages 1 and 2 will be funded by the Scottish Government. At stage 3 households who receive income-related benefits or who are aged 70 or over will be offered free insulation measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation, funded by energy companies under the carbon emissions reduction target. At stage 4 enhanced energy efficiency measures, including central heating, will be provided to households that are most vulnerable to fuel poverty and who live in homes with very poor energy efficiency, funded by the Scottish Government.

Fuel Poverty

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning to carry out pilot studies to address fuel poverty in tenements and tower blocks as suggested by the Fuel Poverty Forum.

Stewart Maxwell: In its report, the Fuel Poverty Forum noted that further research and development are needed to trial alternative measures which could be added to the package of measures offered at Stage 4 at some later date. The Scottish Government is working with stakeholders to identify the measures to be included in the Energy Assistance Package initially, and will review the effectiveness of these measures for different types of dwelling.

Further Education

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage employers and trade unions in the college sector to review the principles which govern the reward and remuneration of staff.

Fiona Hyslop: I have today written to representatives of employers and unions in the college sector to ask that they look jointly at how the relationship between the success of the sector and the reward process might be improved. I have also asked that they do so in a way which carries a genuine commitment to pursuing consensus.

  While I have made clear that there is no question of government imposing new arrangements on the sector, I have asked that employers and unions also consider the implications of a national dimension in the remuneration of staff.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who have suffered a stroke are subsequently affected by aphasia.

Shona Robison: Information on the number of patients with a diagnosis of stroke and identified as having aphasia as a result of their stroke is not available from central statistical sources. The final report of the Aphasia in Scotland Project, commissioned by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, highlighted the difficulty in obtaining robust data on the incidence and prevalence of aphasia.

  We are aware that the recent study "Back to a Life after a Stroke" suggests that around 4,000 of the people who have a stroke in Scotland will experience communication difficulties such as aphasia.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether substance misuse services and mental health agencies will use an agreed assessment tool to identify co-morbidity systematically and help to match care appropriate to level and type of need.

Shona Robison: Our 2007 published guidance Closing The Gaps - Making a Difference  includes a clear recommendation on the use of agreed assessment tools for use by all services including substance misuse and mental health agencies, and references four reliable and validated tools for consideration, on: identification of alcohol misuse; identification of drug misuse; mental health screening, and alcohol-related brain damage.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/12/10141643/0.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to enhance cooperation on eHealth by developing systems that are compatible with those of other EU countries.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Scotland is participating in the EU Commission-funded epSOS programme. Launched in July 2008 in 12 member states, this involves large scale pilots supporting interoperability of health information systems across borders, for patient summaries and ePrescription of drugs. At this early stage of assessing each member states’ current position, the degree to which NHS Scotland will be involved has not yet been decided.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken in preparation for cross-border health care throughout the European Union.

Nicola Sturgeon: There is already a longstanding arrangement in place (the E112 scheme) that allows citizens of European Economic Area (EEA) countries to travel throughout the EEA for planned treatment, subject to prior approval by the home member state, although indications suggest that Scots much prefer to access quality NHS services at home.

  The draft directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border health care, published on 2 July 2008, aims to codify the application of European Court of Justice case law, which has established that patients have a right (under Article 49 of the EU Treaty) to seek health care in another member state, subject to certain conditions, and to receive reimbursement for that treatment from the NHS. Codification of the case law will clarify how the rules will work in practice and will allow member states to establish a patient mobility framework.

  The Scottish Government carried out a public consultation exercise on the proposals, which concluded on 3 December. The consultation document, which includes the draft directive, is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/10/15082114/0.

  The responses to the consultation will be shared with the UK Government to inform Health Council negotiations. The negotiations are in their infancy and will take some time to complete.

  The Scottish Government is committed to the principle that while Scottish patients should have the choice to travel abroad for health care, NHS Scotland should retain the ability to decide the health care it will fund. Equally, anyone travelling from another member state to receive NHS health care in Scotland will have to pay the full cost of the treatment in advance. Once a set of proposals is agreed and adopted by Europe, the Scottish Government will have 12 months to transpose the terms of the directive into domestic legislation.

Healthcare Associated Infection

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its reasons were for refusing to answer 21 freedom of information requests and subsequent reviews relating to the outbreak of Clostridium difficile at the Vale of Leven Hospital, given that when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has committed to being open and transparent in sharing information with the families affected by the outbreak.

Nicola Sturgeon: The member received written replies from Scottish Government officials, dated 14 July and 11 November 2008 outlining the reasons for refusing to provide the information requested. The member was advised in S3W-15495 to follow the standard procedures as set out in the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act. If the member is dissatisfied with the government’s responses to her requests for a review, the next step in those procedures is to appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Heritage

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to bring forward a Bill to amend heritage legislation in Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: Yes. I can now confirm that we intend to consult next year on a draft Bill containing focused legislative amendments.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to comments from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice published in The Scotsman on 30 October 2008 and in light of the terms of motion S3M-2746: Success as Edinburgh’s Nightclubs "Unight" to Tackle Violent Crime, what action it will take to support the roll-out of schemes such as Unight.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to tackling all forms of violence and will continue to work with and support partners to make our communities safer places to live. We are therefore supportive of any initiative that will have a positive impact on reducing levels of violence and disorder. We are looking at the impact of schemes such as Unight and will continue to identify ways to share all examples of practice with other partners. I personally heard about Unight when I visited one of the clubs involved in setting-up Unight during the Cocaine Awareness launch last week. I highly commend the clubs that have come together to create and run this scheme.

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the strategic framework on violence against women will be published.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the strategic framework on violence against women will address the needs of women with no recourse to public funds.

Stewart Maxwell: The government is committed to tackling violence against women and ensuring that all those affected by it are given the support they need and those perpetrating it are dealt with effectively.

  A range of activities, including work around the issue of no recourse to public funds, are already being undertaken to address violence against women and we are currently considering the approach needed to take forward this work in the coming period. The National Group to Address Violence Against Women will meet in February 2009, after which we will aim to publish the Violence Against women Framework by Easter.

Land

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether recent discussions have taken place with the Office of Fair Trading regarding the Greenbelt Group Ltd and, if so, what the outcome was.

Fergus Ewing: I met with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on 14 October, to discuss land maintenance companies and the current OFT market study into property managers in Scotland.

  The OFT has indicated the report will be published in early 2009.

Licensing

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17380 by Kenny MacAskill on 13 November 2008, how many (a) test-purchase visits and (b) off-sales licences there were in each local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: Information is available by police force area for test purchasing. From December 2007 to August 2008, the number of test purchase visits carried out was as follows:

  

 Police Force
 Off-Sales Tested
 On-Sales Tested
 Total


 Central Scotland Police
 55
 0
 55


 Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary
 77
 0
 77


 Fife Constabulary
 136
 20
 156


 Grampian Police
 69
 2
 71


 Lothian and Borders Police
 203
 0
 203


 Northern Constabulary
 10
 0
 10


 Strathclyde Police
 590
 5
 595


 Tayside Police
 40
 0
 40



  Information on the number of off-sales licences in force in each local authority area, as at 31 December 2007 is given in Table 3 of Scottish Liquor Licensing Statistics 2007 which is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 45788).

Local Income Tax

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projections for local income tax revenues set out in its explanatory paper, Abolition of council tax and introduction of local income tax: revenue projections, are for each year when the changes in forecasts and policy measures introduced in the pre-Budget report are taken into account.

John Swinney: Projections of local income tax revenue as set out in the Scottish Government’s explanatory paper Abolition of Council Tax and Introduction of Local Income Tax: Revenue Projections are currently being revised to take into account the measures introduced in the pre-Budget report and will be published early next year.

Local Income Tax

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its press release of 24 November 2008 accompanying publication of responses to the local income tax consultation, in which the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth stated that "prior to introducing a bill" he would "outline further proposals", what the timetable is for doing so.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government is currently reflecting on the responses to the local income tax consultation, as well as the implications of the pre-Budget report, and we will publish our proposals for introducing a fairer local tax for Scotland early in 2009.

Marine Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has undertaken or commissioned, or plans to undertake or commission, to establish the numbers of seals killed by shooting every year given concerns about the falling population of common seals.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government receives advice from the Special Committee on Seals on estimates of the common seal population and also holds information on the number of seals killed under licences issued for control of seals under the Conservation of Seals Act. The Scottish Government has been seeking to improve the quality of information on the number of seals killed in Scotland and recently initiated a data collection exercise in collaboration with key partners of the Scottish Seals Forum.

Marine Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, in drawing up its proposals under the forthcoming Marine Bill for amending the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, whether it has taken advice on animal welfare issues with regard to killing of seals by shooting.

Richard Lochhead: The improvements to seals legislation that were included in the recent Scottish Government consultation on proposals for a Scottish Marine Bill were developed with the participation of the Sustainable Seas Task Force and the Scottish Seals Forum. The Scottish Seals Forum includes representatives of organisations with expertise on animal welfare issues.

Medication

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances it might be necessary to covertly administer anti-psychotic drugs.

Shona Robison: Administering medication covertly may be considered where it is necessary to treat a person for their physical or mental health and they do not have capacity to refuse or consent to such medication.

Medication

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the existence of good practice guidelines sufficiently protects an elderly dementia patient from being inappropriately prescribed an anti-psychotic drug.

Shona Robison: Peer review and monitoring arrangements are in place including the 2007 published Standards for Integrated Care Pathways for Dementia which contain specific advice on the use of medication. The Standards are designed to protect all patients and inform best practice in care settings (Bib. number 44374).

  The standards are being implemented and an accreditation system is in place.

  An online toolkit is launched today which provides additional resources and sharing of good practice to support local delivery of the published standards.

Medication

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the existence of good practice guidelines is sufficient to protect a patient from being prescribed medication that could cause a fatal adverse reaction, if prescribed covertly.

Shona Robison: Any decision to give medication for mental disorder covertly to a patient who is unable to consent must be made taking account of the principles of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and where appropriate the 2003 act. In particular, any benefit must be balanced against the risk of giving the medication covertly. Following the Mental Welfare Commission good practice guidelines will ensure that the risks are identified, assessed, regularly reviewed and prescription to be administered under guidance of a qualified clinician.

Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 provides for the covert administration of drugs.

Shona Robison: The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 does not address the issue of covert medication. It does contain safeguards about the types of treatment for mental disorder that can be given compulsorily to a patient and when a second opinion must be obtained from an independent doctor appointed by the Mental Welfare Commission. The principles of the Act should be taken into account when making any decision to treat a patient for mental disorder.

NHS Finance

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will implement the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) formula for health board funding.

Nicola Sturgeon: I announced in February 2008 my decision to implement NRAC’s recommendations to improve the Arbuthnott formula from the 2009-10 allocations onwards. As I stated at that time, moves towards the new target shares will be phased in gradually, as was the practice with previous formulae, in order to ensure that no board will receive less funding than it does at present.

NHS Funding

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding was provided for primary care services in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: Details of the funding provided for primary care services in 2007-08, comprising primary medical services, pharmaceutical services, general dental services and general ophthalmic services, are as follows:

  

 NHS Board
Primary Care Funding 2007-08(£000)


 Ayrshire and Arran 
 152,797


 Borders 
 39,822


 Dumfries and Galloway 
 61,660


 Fife 
 136,508


 Forth Valley 
 114,529


 Grampian 
 192,250


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 513,251


 Highland 
 136,139


 Lanarkshire 
 221,504


 Lothian 
 295,494


 Orkney 
 10,988


 Shetland 
 10,527


 Tayside 
 158,158


 Western Isles 
 14,558


 Total
 2,058,185



  Boards are funded to the level of their expenditure for demand led primary care services. Final funding levels for each NHS board for 2008-09 are not yet available. The total primary care services funding for 2008-09 is £2,412.4 million.

NHS Funding

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding is to be provided for primary care services in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: Boards are funded to the level of their expenditure for demand led primary care services. Funding levels for each NHS board for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2001-12 have yet to be determined and are subject to pay negotiations with the professional groups concerned.

NHS Funding

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of NHS board budgets is allocated to the provision of GP services, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: The provision of GP medical services is funded from each NHS board’s primary medical services budget, Details of the proportion of NHS board revenue resource limits in 2007-08 allocated to primary medical services are as follows:

  

 NHS Board
 Proportion of Budget Allocated to Primary Medical Services


 Ayrshire and Arran 
 7.9%


 Borders 
 8.2%


 Dumfries and Galloway 
 8.0%


 Fife 
 8.3%


 Forth Valley 
 8.7%


 Grampian 
 10.4%


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 7.7%


 Highland 
 10.7%


 Lanarkshire 
 7.7%


 Lothian 
 10.7%


 Orkney 
 14.3%


 Shetland 
 10.6%


 Tayside 
 8.7%


 Western Isles 
 9.7%

NHS Hospitals

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage increase there was in emergency in-patient admissions in Fife in 2007-08, broken down by age group and community health partnership area; what the reasons were for this increase, and what measures the Scottish Government will take in response.

Nicola Sturgeon: Between 2006-07 and 2007-08 there were increases in the number of emergency in-patient admissions of 3.4 per cent in Fife, 5.7 per cent in Dunfermline and West Fife and 6 per cent in Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth. There was a 1.4 per cent reduction in Glenrothes and North East Fife.

  An eight per cent increase was seen in people aged 20 to 64 across Fife and for people aged 65 plus there was a 2.5 per cent increase. In the 0 to 19 age group there was a 6.7 per cent reduction.

  In Fife in the last year, the main increase in the number of emergency in-patient admissions has been in the general medicine speciality.

  Increases in emergency admissions are not new and NHS boards take account of this in planning their services. An admission to hospital may be the best response for the patient.

  The Scottish Government has introduced a target to reduce the number of long-term condition admissions by 2010-11. To support this the Chief Medical Officer is developing a delivery plan that will draw together the many strands of work that impact on long term conditions. The Scottish Government will be discussing NHS boards’ delivery plans through the 2009-10 Local Delivery Planning process.

NHS Staff

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is ensuring that, in reducing the use of agency or bank staff, NHS boards are meeting agreed staffing levels in all units and agreeing any reductions in bank and agency staff with staff partnerships.

Nicola Sturgeon: It is for NHS boards to determine appropriate staffing levels based on local needs. In doing so, NHS boards are committed to achieving a balance between the use of permanent and bank and agency staff which is appropriate for the provision of short-term absence cover.

  NHS boards will continue to require the use of bank and contract agency staff to meet fluctuations in unpredicted absence levels, but are expected to discuss changes to staffing establishments and the use of bank and agency staff through their relevant partnership forums.

National Health Service

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of NHS Lanarkshire.

Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Executive officials meet regularly with senior officials of NHS Lanarkshire. I meet regularly with all NHS chairs to discuss matters of importance to health and the NHS in Scotland. The most recent meeting was on 24 November. I also met with the senior team of NHS Lanarkshire on 6 August this year when I chaired the board’s annual review. The board’s performance on key national health targets, including health improvement, efficiency, waiting times and service changes were discussed.

National Insurance Contributions

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be to the public sector in Scotland of the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions announced in the pre-Budget report and whether any consequential funding has been announced by the UK Government.

John Swinney: The decision by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer to increase employers’ national insurance contributions by half a percentage point from 2011-12 will impact on the public sector in Scotland by increasing employment costs.

  We are unable at this stage to provide detailed estimates of the total impact across the public sector in Scotland. The increase in costs will depend on a number of factors including the level of the secondary income threshold in 2011-12 (currently £105 per week) above which NI contributions become payable; the weekly earnings of employees; and the relative number of employees "contracted in or out" from the second state pension.

  What is clear is that the cost of delivering public services will rise and that additional income will accrue to the Treasury.

  No increase in funding has been announced by the UK Government to cover the increased burden on the public sector.

Planning

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an updated version of the timetable that it provided in November 2007 for the implementation of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006, showing for each regulation and order the estimated dates for consultation and commencement, as envisaged (a) in November 2007 and (b) now.

Stewart Stevenson: A copy of the estimated dates for consultation and commencement as set out in the November 2007 implementation timetable are shown in the following table. A new updated implementation timetable will be available on the Scottish Government’s planning website shortly www.scotland.gov.uk/planning .

  Timetable For Implementation Of The Planning Etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 As at November 2007

  

 Regulations And Orders etc
 Estimated Date for Consultation
 Estimated Date for Commencement


 Preparation of National Planning Framework 2
 Part 1 commenced – April 2007


 Consultation paper on Orders to designate Strategic Development Planning Authorities (and statutory guidance on Strategic Development Authorities)
 July 2007
 October 2008


Consultation paper on draft regulation on development planning, including:-regulations on SDP content and scope to depart from LDP examinations*- regulations on DP content and preparation procedures- order on transitional arrangements for development planning
 October 2007
 October 2008


 Regulations on development plan examination procedures
 December 2007
 November 2008


 Extension of definition of ‘development’ to include marine fish farming
 Part 3 (Section 3-4) Commenced – 1 April 2007


 Order and user guide on householder permitted development rights
 May 2008
 October 2008


 Order on micro-generation permitted development rights
 February 2007
 June 2008


 Order on changes to remainder of permitted development rights
 July 2008
 February 2009


 Consultation paper on draft regulations on changes to planning application procedures, including: public availability of information; pre-application consultation; validation procedures; planning permission in principle; neighbour notification; access & design statements etc. (Revision of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992
 December 2007
 November 2008


 Regulations on appeals procedures, including local review bodies, schemes of delegation and examination procedures.
 December 2007
 November 2008


 Regulations on the hierarchy of developments *
 November 2007
 November 2008


 Regulations on Good Neighbour Agreements
 April 2008
 April 2009


Consultation on draft regulations on enforcement powers, including; - regulations on the amount of fixed penalty fines*- regulations on site notices and notification of initiation and completion- regulations on temporary stop notices
 October 2007
 July 2008


 Regulations on Tree Preservation Orders
 June 2008
 February 2009


 New performance assessment framework for planning
 March 2007
 Spring 2009


 Regulations on new fees for planning applications
 March 2008
 November 2008


 Powers to make grants for advice and assistance
 Part 8 (Section 32) commenced – 1 April 2007


 Powers to create Business Improvement Districts
 Part 9 (Section 33-49) commenced – 1 April 2007



  Note: *Regulations by affirmative procedure.

Prison Service

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in relation to the redevelopment of (a) HM Prison Edinburgh, (b) HM Prison Glenochil, (c) HM Prison Perth and (d) HM Young Offenders Institute (HMYOI ) Polmont how much funding has been allocated; what work has been planned; what progress has been made, and what the expected completion date is.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Scottish Government Infrastructure Investment Plan 2008, published in March 2008, provides details of the funding and planned investment in the prison estate, including the redevelopment of HM Prison Edinburgh, HM Prison Glenochil, HM Prison Perth and HMYOI Polmont. Construction continues at each site and work is expected to be completed at HM Prison Edinburgh and HMYOI Polmont during 2009-10 followed by HM Prison Glenochil and HM Prison Perth during 2010-11.

Public Transport

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many subsidised bus services are in place in each parliamentary constituency in the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport area.

Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. The information requested is not held centrally.

Rail Services

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17913 by Stewart Stevenson on 18 November 2008, why it has not aligned Fife fares with the rest of Scotland from January 2009, as it has with Strathclyde.

Stewart Stevenson: Fares alignment means that all regulated fares, including Fife fares, will now change in January of each year which is consistent with the main industry fare change date.

Rail Services

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-17913 by Stewart Stevenson on 18 November 2008, whether rail fares across Scotland are fully aligned.

Stewart Stevenson: Fares alignment means that all regulated fares will now change in January of each year which is consistent with the main industry fare change date.

Rural Development

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that adequate support is being received by the agricultural industry through the Scottish Rural Development Plan.

Richard Lochhead: With £1.6 billion available over the programme period 2007-13, the Scottish Rural Development Plan offers a substantial level of resources to land managers, including those engaging in agricultural activities, to meet the demands placed on it. The case for adding to the level of support offered would need to be considered in the context of overall funding pressures within the Scottish Government.

Rural Development

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its review of the Rural Priorities scheme following the first round of awards will examine the possibility of shifting funding into alternative agricultural support schemes.

Richard Lochhead: When reviewing the Rural Priorities and other parts of the Scottish Rural Development Plan, the Scottish Government has the option to look at the balance of funding across the different measures as well as other issues such as application procedures. We intend to carry out the review in early 2009 once the 2008 round of Regional Proposal Assessment Committees has been completed and are currently considering the remit and scope of the review.

School Meals

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the cost of providing free school meals, broken down by local authority.

Adam Ingram: The local government settlement covering the period from 2008 to 2011, which is negotiated as a whole, provides for sufficient funding to fulfil the Scottish Government’s progressive policies to extend entitlement to free nutritious school meals.

School Meals

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings have been held at ministerial or official level with (a) COSLA and (b) individual local authorities since the announcement on 2 October 2008 by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Young People that free school meals for children in the first three years of primary school are to be introduced by every local authority from 2010.

Adam Ingram: Ministers and officials meet frequently with COSLA and local authorities to discuss a variety of issues. There are also bi-monthly meetings between COSLA and Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth. Since 2 October 2008, Scottish Government officials and COSLA officials met on 10 November 2008 to discuss the concordat commitments on free school meals.

Scottish Enterprise

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the funding that would previously have been allocated to Scottish Enterprise Glasgow has been spent in the current financial year.

Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its Chief Executive to write to you in this regard.

Scottish Enterprise

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding that would previously have been distributed by Scottish Enterprise Glasgow is less in the current financial year than in previous years.

Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its Chief Executive to write to you in this regard.

Scottish Enterprise

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact is of the closure of Scottish Enterprise Glasgow.

Jim Mather: Scottish Enterprise maintains, as before, a significant presence in Glasgow. The removal of the former local enterprise company structure has removed an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and enabled both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to focus on delivering effective support to the key companies and sectors across Scotland, including in Glasgow.

  The recent reforms to Scottish Enterprise have also resulted in local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, having an enhanced role in contributing to economic development at a local level.

Scottish Government Procurement

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which of its contracts for services have been awarded for the first time to private contractors since May 2003.

John Swinney: In June 2003 the Scottish Executive awarded a response handling contract to a private contractor. The contract expired in March 2008 and the service is now provided by in-house resource.

Scottish Water

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with trade unions in respect of the recent Scottish Water pay offer to staff.

Stewart Stevenson: I met with the STUC and Scottish Water union representatives at their request on 25 September 2008 to hear their views on issues related to Scottish Water, including the 2008 pay awards.

Scottish Water

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will convene a meeting between management and trade unions in respect of Scottish Water’s imposition of a wage settlement on its workforce.

Stewart Stevenson: No. Scottish Water has implemented a pay deal at the maximum allowed under the staff pay remit agreed earlier this year with the Scottish Government.

Tourism

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much VisitScotland allocated to promoting South Lanarkshire in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Jim Mather: VisitScotland’s promotion of Scotland and its areas, and the process by which marketing funds are allocated, is based on market research which identifies what potential visitors want from a trip to Scotland. This allows VisitScotland to focus marketing spend in order to generate the maximum economic value for Scotland, both locally and nationally. Accordingly, spend is not allocated on an area or local authority basis but spread across a wide variety of promotional activities, many of which will cover South Lanarkshire and its attractions.

  Examples of these activities include the Be Inspired Campaign 2008; Go for it!; Real Scotland – Local’s Guide; Winter White, and the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Accommodation Guide and Visitor Guide. In addition New Lanark World Heritage Site, Chatelherault Country Park and Scotkart featured in VisitScotland’s Citybreaks campaign.

  VisitScotland works closely with South Lanarkshire Council, which provides funding directly to VisitScotland in order to deliver specified marketing for the benefit of the area, as well as the provision of information and inspiration via the area’s Visitor Information Centres. These activities are agreed through direct discussion between the local authority and VisitScotland, and form part of their annual partnership agreement which contributes to the promotion of the area to visitors. The council provided £97,000 under this partnership agreement in 2007-08, and the final amount to be provided in 2008-09 is still under discussion.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Commission on Scottish Devolution

Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what resources it has so far committed to the Calman Commission.

Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body from what budget the resources it has committed to the Calman Commission are funded.

Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what additional calls on its budget it anticipates from the Calman Commission.

Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it ensures best value from its resources used by the Calman Commission.

Alex Fergusson: In answer to questions S3W-17978, S3W-17979, S3W-17980, and S3W-17981 and as set out in SPCB(2008) Paper 61, one member of staff has been assigned to the Commission on Scottish Devolution. Other resources provided to the Commission have included research and the provision of background documents undertaken by SPICe staff, support to meetings of the commission by the Events and Exhibitions Team, the Security Office and Broadcasting Office and substantially verbatim reports of the public commission meetings by the Official Report.

  All costs, which now amount to an estimated £65,000 have been absorbed within existing office budgets and expenditure continues to be kept under review.

  We cannot anticipate any future calls on resources until the commission has decided on its next steps.